Camera Force Close when taking photo - CM7 and FLB - Help!

[Guest saturnreturn]

I asked this in the main CM7 discussion thread, but it's really noisy in there so have started this topic.

Problem is that at some point while I was using Froyo (FLB11b) the camera stopped working. Image preview was fine, but as soon as I click to take the photo, the image preview and whole camera app freezes until I press the menu key, at which point the Force Close message appears.

Later, I used the one-file TPT method to upgrade to Gen2 with CM7. To my surprise, the problem is still there. I've wiped since, and it's still there.

I have attached a logcat which captures the process from starting the app to it force closing. This was taken after a reboot of the system so that as little as possible is interfering with it.

Since this happened on completely different ROMs I wondered whether it could be a hardware issue, but the video camera mode works fine, so I don't think this is the problem. I've also checked permissions on folders, but looks ok.

This also happens if I use other apps that use the camera, including barcode scanner.

Can anyone offer any thoughts?

camera2.txt

[Guest Roph]

Try using lgCamera, it's free and offers many more options. Contrast, saturation and so on. It'll also let you record video in 800x480, on FLB at least.

Edited May 13, 2011 by Roph

[Guest saturnreturn]

Tried lgCamera, and it works, so thanks for that!

However, I would still like to get the stock camera fixed as it seems that other things that I would like to use, like Barcode Scanner, rely on it.

[Guest saturnreturn]

Is it possible to make barcode scanner (the ZXing one) use a different backend camera that works, like the lgCamera one? I can't see an option for this. Sometimes you get the choice of which app to use when they provide the same feature, but the camera doesn't seem to do this.

I wish I could work out what the issue was! I've just tried a different SD card and formatted it in case that was the problem, but no change.

Could the driver be corrupt? Is there an alternative one?

[Guest flshg]

Is it possible to make barcode scanner (the ZXing one) use a different backend camera that works, like the lgCamera one? I can't see an option for this. Sometimes you get the choice of which app to use when they provide the same feature, but the camera doesn't seem to do this.

I wish I could work out what the issue was! I've just tried a different SD card and formatted it in case that was the problem, but no change.

Could the driver be corrupt? Is there an alternative one?

Just wondering if it could be your autofocus thats broken, as the stock camera and barcode reader uses the autofocus when taking a picture, but I dont think camcorder or lgcamera app uses it (on lgcamera I think you have to tap the screen to force a focus). Try taking a pic with lgcamera, firstly tap the screen to force a focus, does it still work ok?

[Guest jeddy1]

Is it possible to make barcode scanner (the ZXing one) use a different backend camera that works, like the lgCamera one? I can't see an option for this. Sometimes you get the choice of which app to use when they provide the same feature, but the camera doesn't seem to do this.

I wish I could work out what the issue was! I've just tried a different SD card and formatted it in case that was the problem, but no change.

Could the driver be corrupt? Is there an alternative one?

well maybe if u remove(with root manager) from system the stock camera.apk of the rom and just let the lgcamera.apk installed to ur phone.reboot and then try the barcode or whatever u wanna try and see if it works :unsure:

[Guest jeddy1]

Just wondering if it could be your autofocus thats broken, as the stock camera and barcode reader uses the autofocus when taking a picture, but I dont think camcorder or lgcamera app uses it (on lgcamera I think you have to tap the screen to force a focus). Try taking a pic with lgcamera, firstly tap the screen to force a focus, does it still work ok?

but if the autofocus is broken then u should flash the stock rom and take it back where u bought ur blade if its still under varranty!

[Guest JT_daniel]

I have the same problem and am relatively sure its the Autofocus that's broken. Can't do anything about it now, unfortunately. :P I don't use the camera anyway, so it's not much of a problem.

[Guest saturnreturn]

flshg thanks for the tip - I think you're right about it being the autofocus. I tried lgCamera again but with autofocus, and it froze. I might make a call to Orange and see if they'll swap it as I only got it in January.

Alternatively, is there a way of diableing autofocus at a driver level, or would something like barcode reader not work without it?

[Guest flshg]

flshg thanks for the tip - I think you're right about it being the autofocus. I tried lgCamera again but with autofocus, and it froze. I might make a call to Orange and see if they'll swap it as I only got it in January.

Alternatively, is there a way of diableing autofocus at a driver level, or would something like barcode reader not work without it?

I dont know of any way of disabling the autofocus, I doubt it would be an easy task either, and without the focus barcode readers might have a hard time getting a clear image. Hopefully Orange can give you a replacement.

[Guest saturnreturn]

Well, phoned Orange this morning, and they couriered a new one out to me, so less than 12 hours later I'm sitting here with a new Blade, with working camera! Full marks to Orange for customer service!!

[Guest flshg]

Well, phoned Orange this morning, and they couriered a new one out to me, so less than 12 hours later I'm sitting here with a new Blade, with working camera! Full marks to Orange for customer service!!

Thats good. Did you have to reflash stock rom onto your broken blade?

[Guest JT_daniel]

Well, phoned Orange this morning, and they couriered a new one out to me, so less than 12 hours later I'm sitting here with a new Blade, with working camera! Full marks to Orange for customer service!!

Any idea how long the warranty is valid for? I bought mine in February and I might visit the UK later this year, so could possibly get it exchanged if the warranty is applicable till then.

Also, is the bill of purchase necessary?

[Guest Pondlife]

A year and yep they will want the "bill of purchase"

[Guest JT_daniel]

Thanks mate, I don't have the bill of purchase with me since a friend got it for me. Any way around that?

[Guest Pondlife]

Thanks mate, I don't have the bill of purchase with me since a friend got it for me. Any way around that?

Pretty unlikely really I'm afraid (no chance you can get it from them?)

[Guest saturnreturn]

I didn't have to show a "bill of purchase". I just phoned, gave them my Orange phone number and 4 digit PIN that I got when I activated the phone, and had to confirm my address and calling plan and that was it.

I did flash the stock ROM back on to it though, in 2 steps. Possibly you could do this with just the second step, but I don't know if the Gen2 -> Gen1 conversion would have worked without step 1:

1. Go back to Gen 1 via TPT method: follow instructions at http://android.modaco.com/content/zte-blad...n2-tpt-upgrade/ and download the ROM under "Going back to Gen 1"

2. Flash Stock ROM - now phone layout is back to Gen 1, flash the original stock Orange ROM via TPT method: http://android.modaco.com/content/zte-blad...-2011-oled-tft/

Used the OUK_P729BV1.0.0B10 ROM as this matched the version originally on my Blade (was from the first batches of TFT screen phones rather than OLED)

[Guest Pondlife]

Is that on a contract phone though?

[Guest saturnreturn]

No, just pay as you go. I bought it online rather than in a shop, although I wouldn't have thought that would make a difference as I would have phoned the same customer services number anyway.